The Kiwi track cyclists led all sports at Paris with five medals, and the two golds and a silver for Ellesse Andrews were the most by any rider at an Olympics.
Over a year later, Cycling NZ’s focus has already turned to Los Angeles 2028.
While quality performances are a clear goal, half of the Paris team are not in Chile for a variety of reasons — time out, other cycling pursuits, injuries and pregnancy — with several newcomers given their opportunities.
"This is year one of the cycle and we come to the world championships with a mix of experience and new faces as we give riders important experience to stake their claims when we look at the first Olympic qualification events next year," Cycling NZ high performance director Ryan Hollows said.
"It’s worth noting that we only have a men’s team pursuit here in Santiago and just two of them rode in Paris.
"With Rebecca Petch pregnant and Shaane Fulton in rehab after surgery, there’s no women’s team sprint. And likewise with Ally Wollaston ending her season after a head knock on the road, there is no women’s team pursuit.
"It is an opportunity to see riders in different events, and some new riders who will have their first world championship experience.
"We have no expectation or pressure on the riders, more a case of exposing them to world championship racing and providing an opportunity to stake claims for teams for next year."
Leading the way is Andrews, who will contest both sprint and keirin, and has also added the time trial. This has been lengthened to the men’s distance of 1000m, which has sparked Andrews’ interest with her endurance background.
She is joined by Paris Olympian Sam Dakin in sprint, after making strides in Paris.
Paris riders Tom Sexton and Keegan Hornblow are joined by the experienced Nic Kergozou and rising 20-year-old Marshall Erwood, who has been riding with success on the road with his MitoQ NZ Cycling Project team in the United States this year.
World Tour rider Campbell Stewart is returning to the track, and in the absence of Aaron Gate, he will ride the key individual events of the omnium, elimination and scratch.
The pursuit team is rounded out with the inclusion of successful mountainbiker and road rider Ben Oliver, trying his hand on the track.
The women’s endurance team comprises the outstanding and experienced Bryony Botha, along with two younger riders of real promise in Sami Donnelly, the reserve in Paris, and rising Auckland hope Pru Fowler.
Track championships
NZ squad
Women: Ellesse Andrews, Bryony Botha, Sami Donnelly, Prudence Fowler, Emily Shearman.
Men: Sam Dakin, Marshall Erwood, Keegan Hornblow, Nick Kergozou, Ben Oliver, Tom Sexton, Campbell Stewart. — Allied Media
